Pittsburgh's Matt Niskanen took advantage of his increased opportunity when Kris Letang had a stroke in the middle of the season. Niskanen finished with a plus-33 rating — best among NHL defensemen. He led all Penguins defensemen in assists (36) and points (46).

Letang is back in the lineup in the postseason, playing perhaps better than ever, and the Penguins have him and two other defensemen locked in for a combined $16.625 million next season. And that doesn't include Brooks Orpik, a flashy defenseman who, like Niskanen, is a pending unrestricted free agent.

The open market begins July 1, and Niskanen, 27, appears to be exactly what the Avalanche needs. He is a coveted right-handed shooter with elite power-play skills, good size (6-foot, 209 pounds) and significant Stanley Cup playoff experience (53 games and counting). He will undoubtedly double his $2.5 million salary wherever he signs.

"Right-shot defensemen are at a premium in the league, and I mean ones that can play on the point on the power play and get points," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland told Detroit reporters. "We'd like to get a right-handed shot defenseman. Can we make it happen? We'll find out."

Will the Avs be shopping along with the Red Wings?

The Avs figure to go after Niskanen, or another marquee free-agent defenseman, if they choose to upgrade their back line, which essentially means one or more of the following:

• They don't resign Andre Benoit and Cory Sarich.

• They don't think Stefan Elliott and other young prospects such as Duncan Siemens and Chris Bigras are ready for a full-time NHL role.

• They are willing to devote $5 million or more to Niskanen, or another marquee free agent.

Colorado has contracts next season for defensemen Erik Johnson ($3.75 million), Jan Hejda ($3.25 million), Ryan Wilson ($2.25 million), Nate Guenin ($800,000) and Nick Holden ($600,000). Young standout Tyson Barrie and Elliott are restricted free agents, and the Avs undoubtedly will sign Barrie, and probably Elliott. Barrie and Elliott pass and shoot from the right side.

The Avs have 17 players under contract next season at a combined $45.1 million, but they have plenty of room to maneuver. The 2014-15 salary cap is projected at $71.1 million. Among the pending free agents are forwards Paul Stastny (unrestricted), Ryan O'Reilly (restricted) and Jamie McGinn (restricted), plus Barrie and Elliott.

Signing all of the above and a marquee unrestricted defenseman in the $26 million salary cap window is possible, but the Avs have been playing much closer to the cap floor than the cap ceiling in recent years.

Avs coach Patrick Roy won't publicly comment about possible offseason moves until the team makes him available during the June 24 NHL awards banquet in Las Vegas.

Denver Post hockey reporter Mike Chambers analyzes the top five pending unrestricted free-agent defensemen who could help the Avalanche next season:

1. Matt Niskanen, Pittsburgh

Age: 27

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 209 pounds

He is following a brilliant regular season with a terrific postseason. Was a first-round draft pick of the Dallas Stars in 2005.

2. Brooks Orpik, Pittsburgh

Age: 33

Height: 6-2

Weight: 219

Injured twice in this postseason and was only plus-3 in the regular season, but the former U.S. Olympian still is a top-four defenseman on a deep Penguins blue line.

3. Dan Boyle, San Jose

Age: 37

Height: 5-11

Weight: 190

Former Canadian Olympian concluded a six-year, $40 million contract with the Sharks. In his next deal, because of his age, he isn't likely to receive the $6.67 million annual salary he was making. But he can help any team.

4. Matt Greene, Los Angeles

Age: 30

Height: 6-3

Weight: 232

"Mean" Matt Greene won't be much help offensively, but he's one of the NHL's most feared players and can be a dominant own-zone defender. He is an alternate captain for the Kings.

5. Andrei Markov, Montreal

Age: 35

Height: 6-0

Weight: 210

Similar to Dan Boyle, the Russian is likely to take a cut in pay from the $5.75 million he is making with the Canadiens because of his age. But he's a solid two-way player and a power-play specialist.

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